Patient care bed

ABSTRACT

A patient care bed including a caster locking mechanism having a foot movable between retracted and extended positions, a lock bar movable from an unlocked to a locked position, a release bar movable from an initial to a release position, and a lock and release assembly. The lock and release assembly includes a guide plate defining a slot, a rocker coupled to the lock bar and including a protrusion slidable within the slot, and a release member coupled to the release bar and including a protrusion slidable within the slot. Moving the lock bar to the locked position slides the protrusion of the rocker through the slot to extend the foot. Moving the release bar to the release position urges the protrusion of the release member through the and into contact with the protrusion of the rocker to urge the protrusion of the rocker back, thereby retracting the foot.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional application of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 14/856,032, filed on Sep. 16, 2015, now U.S. Pat. No.9,994,072, which claims the benefit of, and priority to, U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 62/051,586, filed on Sep. 17, 2014,the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated herein byreference.

BACKGROUND 1. Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to patient care beds, and moreparticularly, to mobile, height-adjustable, and articulatable patientcare beds and mechanisms for use therewith.

2. Background of Related Art

Patient care beds are often used in both home care and in moreformalized medical settings, e.g., hospital rooms. Such beds generallyinclude a bed frame configured to support a mattress thereon, legassemblies for supporting the bed frame, and one or more mechanisms foradjusting the height of the bed frame relative to the floor, e.g., toraise/lower the patient and/or for articulating the bed frame, e.g., toposition the patient in a lying position, a sitting position, etc. Somepatient beds also include casters to facilitate transport of the bed. Alock assembly or assemblies is often included on these mobile patientbeds to enable the bed to be locked in position when not beingtransported.

SUMMARY

To the extent consistent, any of the aspects and features herein may beused in connection with any or all of the other aspects and featuresdetailed herein.

In accordance with aspects of the present disclosure, a caster lockingmechanism for a patient care bed is provided including an engagementfoot, a lock bar, a release bar, and a lock and release assembly. Theengagement foot is movable between a retracted position and an extendedposition for lifting a caster assembly off of a support surface. Thelock bar is movable in a first direction from an unlocked position to alocked position to move the engagement foot from the retracted positionto the extended position. The release bar movable in the first directionfrom an initial position to a release position to move the engagementfoot from the extended position back to the retracted position. The lockand release assembly includes a guide plate, a rocker, and a releasemember. The guide plate defines a lock and release slot. The rockerincludes a protrusion slidably disposed within the lock and releaseslot. The rocker is operably coupled to the lock bar such that movingthe lock bar from the unlocked position to the locked position slidesthe protrusion of the rocker through the lock and release slot from afirst position to a second position to lock the lock bar in the lockedposition and the engagement foot in the extended position. The releasemember includes a protrusion slidably disposed within the lock andrelease slot. The release member is operably coupled to the release barsuch that movement of the release bar from the initial position to therelease position slides the protrusion of the release member through thelock and release slot and into contact with the protrusion of the rockerto urge the protrusion of the rocker from the second position back tothe first position, thereby returning the lock bar to the unlockedposition and the engagement foot to the retracted position.

In aspects of the present disclosure, the lock and release slot definesa L-shaped configuration having a vertical portion and a horizontalportion. In such aspects, moving the lock bar from the unlocked positionto the locked position slides the protrusion of the rocker from a closedend of the vertical portion of the lock and release slot, through thevertical portion of the lock and release slot, and into the horizontalportion of the lock and release slot to lock the lock bar in the lockedposition and the engagement foot in the extended position.

In aspects of the present disclosure, movement of the release bar fromthe initial position to the release position slides the protrusion ofthe release member from a closed end of the horizontal portion of thelock and release slot through the horizontal portion of the lock andrelease slot and into contact with the protrusion of the rocker to urgethe protrusion of the rocker from the horizontal portion of the lock andrelease slot to the vertical portion of the lock and release slot,thereby returning the lock bar to the unlocked position and theengagement foot to the retracted position.

In aspects of the present disclosure, the lock bar is biased towards theunlocked position such that the protrusion of the rocker is biasedtowards the closed end of the vertical portion of the lock and releaseslot once disposed within the vertical portion of the lock and releaseslot, thereby returning the lock bar to the unlocked position and theengagement foot to the retracted position once the protrusion of therocker is disposed in the vertical portion of the lock and release slot.

In aspects of the present disclosure, the lock bar includes a yokepivotably coupled to the guide plate at a first location along the yokevia a first pin.

In aspects of the present disclosure, a second pin is pivotably coupledto the yoke at a second location along the yoke. In such aspects, thesecond pin is slidably disposed within a guide slot defined within theguide plate.

In aspects of the present disclosure, the rocker is pivotably coupled tothe yoke at the second location along the yoke via the second pin.

In aspects of the present disclosure, a leg defining a first end and asecond end is provided. The first end of the leg is pivotably coupled tothe yoke at the second location along the yoke via the second pin andthe second end of the leg is coupled to the engagement foot.

In aspects of the present disclosure, the release member is fixedlyengaged to the release bar and pivotably coupled to the guide plate viaa third pin.

In aspects of the present disclosure, the guide plate is configured tofixedly engage a base bar of a leg assembly of a patient care bed.

A patient care bed provided in accordance with aspects of the presentdisclosure includes a fixed frame defining a head end and a foot end andfirst and second leg assemblies coupled to the head end and foot end,respectively, of the fixed frame. Each leg assembly includes a pair ofspaced-apart caster assemblies configured to support the leg assembly ona support surface, e.g., the floor. An engagement foot is associatedwith each of the caster assemblies of the first leg assembly or thesecond leg assembly. Each engagement foot is movable between a retractedposition and an extended position for lifting the corresponding casterassembly off of the support surface. The patient care bed furtherincludes a lock and release assembly associated with each engagementfoot, a lock bar operably coupled to and extending between the lock andrelease assemblies, and a release bar operably coupled to and extendingbetween the lock and release assemblies. The lock bar is movable in afirst direction from an unlocked position to a locked position to movethe engagement feet from the retracted position to the extendedposition. The release bar is movable in the first direction from aninitial position to a release position to move the engagement feet fromthe extended position back to the retracted position. Each of the lockand release assemblies may be configured similarly as detailed abovewith respect to any of the previous aspects.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various aspects and features of the presently disclosed patient care bedand mechanisms for use therewith are described with reference to theaccompanying drawing figures, wherein like references charactersidentify similar or identical elements and:

FIG. 1 is a top, perspective view of a patient care bed provided inaccordance with the present disclosure, with one of the stabilizers ofeach leg assembly removed;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the patient care bed of FIG. 1, with one of thestabilizers of each leg assembly removed;

FIG. 3 is a bottom, perspective view of a portion of the patient carebed of FIG. 1 with one of the stabilizers of the illustrated legassembly removed;

FIG. 4 is a side view of the portion of the patient care bed shown inFIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a side, cross-sectional view of another portion of the patientcare bed of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged, perspective view of another portion of thepatient care bed of FIG. 1 illustrating the coupling between one of theleg members of the patient care bed and the stabilizer associatedtherewith;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged, perspective view of another portion of thepatient care bed of FIG. 1 illustrating coupling between one of thearticulatable sections of the patient care bed and the actuatorassociated therewith;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged, perspective view of another portion of thepatient care bed of FIG. 1 illustrating the operable connections betweenthe articulatable section of FIG. 7 and the actuator associatedtherewith, with one of the stabilizers of the illustrated leg assemblyremoved;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a caster locking mechanism provided inaccordance with the present disclosure and configured for use with thepatient care bed of FIG. 1 or any other suitable patient care bed;

FIG. 10 is an enlarged, perspective view of a portion of the casterlocking mechanism of FIG. 9 illustrating the internal operable couplingsbetween the components thereof;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the guide plate of the caster lockingmechanism of FIG. 9;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the yoke of the caster lockingmechanism of FIG. 9;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the rocker of the caster lockingmechanism of FIG. 9;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the leg of the caster locking mechanismof FIG. 9; and

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a portion of the release bar of thecaster locking mechanism of FIG. 9.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Turning now to FIGS. 1-3, a patient care bed provided in accordance withthe present disclosure is shown generally identified by referencenumeral 10. Bed 10 is particularly suitable for long term care, althoughbed 10 may also find application in short term care, and/or may be usedin both hospital settings as well as in private home care settings. Bed10 generally includes a fixed frame 100, an articulatable frame 200articulatably mounted on fixed frame 100, a pair of leg assemblies 300coupled to fixed frame 100 and extending downwardly therefrom, a pair ofheight adjustment actuator assemblies 400, and a pair of articulationactuator assemblies 500. Bed 10 further includes a pair of casterassemblies 600 coupled to the lower end of each leg assembly 300 on eachside thereof to facilitate transport of bed 10.

Fixed frame 100 includes a head end 110, a foot end 120, and is definedby a pair of spaced-apart longitudinal side beams 132, 134 extendingbetween the head and foot ends 110, 120, respectively, of fixed frame100, although other suitable configurations are also contemplated. Oneor more cross-beams 140 extends transversely between side beams 132, 134to provide structural support to fixed frame 100. Fixed frame 100further includes head end brackets 112 and foot end brackets 122configured to support a head board (not shown) and a foot board (notshown), respectively, at the head and foot ends 110, 120, respectively,thereof As detailed below, leg assemblies 300 are operably coupled tofixed frame 100 to enable height adjustment of fixed frame 100 relativeto a support surface, e.g., the floor.

Articulatable frame 200 includes a plurality of sections 210, 220, 230,240 pivotably coupled to one another and/or fixed frame 100 to enablemovement at least between a substantially flat or lying position, aseated position, a legs raised position, and a seated and legs raisedposition. More specifically, articulatable frame 200 includes a backsection 210, a hip section 220, a thigh section 230, and a foot section240, although greater or fewer than four (4) sections and/or differentconfigurations of sections 210-240 are also contemplated. Hip section220 is fixedly secured to fixed frame 100. Back section 210 is pivotablycoupled to hip section 220 about a first pivot 212 and is positionedadjacent to hip section 220 towards head end 110 of fixed frame 100. Afirst articulation actuator assembly 500 is operably coupled to backsection 210 to enable articulation of back section 210 relative to fixedframe 100, as detailed below. Thigh section 230 is pivotably coupled tohip section 220 about a second pivot 232 and is positioned adjacent tohip section 220 towards foot end 120 of fixed frame 100. A secondarticulation actuator assembly 500 is operably coupled to thigh section230 to enable articulation of thigh section 230 relative to fixed frame100, as also detailed below. Foot section 240 is pivotably coupled tothigh section 230 about a third pivot 242 towards foot end 120 of fixedframe 100. Foot section 240 is not directly coupled to fixed frame 100,but, rather, is both pivotable and movable relative thereto in responseto pivoting of thigh section 230.

With reference to FIGS. 4-6, in conjunction with FIGS. 1-3, each legassembly 300 and corresponding height adjustment actuator assembly 400pair is substantially similar and, thus, reference below will only bemade to one of the leg assemblies 300 and the corresponding heightadjustment actuator assembly 400 thereof. It is envisioned that legassemblies 300 and the corresponding height adjustment actuatorassemblies 400 thereof be operable in conjunction with one another,e.g., to raise and lower fixed frame 100 relative to the floor or othersupport surface in generally parallel orientation relative to the flooror other support surface, and/or that leg assemblies 300 and thecorresponding height adjustment actuator assemblies 400 be operableindependently of one another, e.g., to achieve the Trendelenburg andreverse-Trendelenburg positions.

Leg assembly 300 includes a pair of leg members 310, a pair of legstabilizers 320, a cross bar 330, and a base bar 340. Leg members 310are spaced-apart and disposed on either side of fixed frame 100, e.g.,adjacent longitudinal side beams 132, 134, respectively. Each leg member310 defines an upper end 312 and a lower end 314. The upper end 312 ofeach leg member 310 is slidably and rotatably coupled to one of thelongitudinal side beams 132, 134 of fixed frame 100. More specifically,a linkage 316 couples the upper end 312 of each leg member 310 to thecorresponding longitudinal side beam 132, 134. Linkage 316 defines afirst end 317 a that is pivotably coupled to the upper end 312 of thecorresponding leg member 310 via a pivot pin 318. Linkage 316 furtherdefines a second end 317 b having a roller 319 mounted thereon. Roller319 is captured within a track 135 defined within the correspondinglongitudinal side beam 132, 134 to rotatably and slidably couple linkage316 and, thus, leg member 310, to the longitudinal side beam 132, 134 offixed frame 100. In use, as detailed below, outward sliding of rollers319 through tracks 135 of longitudinal side beams 132, 134, e.g.,towards the adjacent end 110, 120 of fixed frame 100, urges leg members310 of leg assembly 300 to pivot relative to fixed frame 100 so as toraise fixed frame 100 (or the end thereof, where only one leg assembly300 is urged to pivot) relative to a support surface, e.g., the floor,while inward sliding of rollers 319 through tracks 135 of longitudinalside beams 132, 134, e.g., towards the center of fixed frame 100, urgesleg members 310 of leg assembly 300 to pivot relative to fixed frame 100so as to lower fixed frame 100 (or the end thereof, where only one legassembly 300 is urged to pivot) relative to a support surface, e.g., thefloor.

Continuing with reference to FIGS. 4-6, in conjunction with FIGS. 1-3, aleg stabilizer 320 (only one of which is shown for each leg assembly300) is associated with each leg member 310 and operably coupled betweenthat leg member 310 and the corresponding longitudinal side beam 132,134 of fixed frame 100. Each leg stabilizer 320 defines an upper end 322and a lower end 324. The upper end 322 of each leg stabilizer 320 ispivotably engaged to one of the cross-beams 140 of fixed frame 100adjacent the corresponding side beam 132, 134 of fixed frame 100 via alinkage 323 a and pivot pin 323 b. The lower end 324 of each legstabilizer 320 is pivotably coupled to an intermediate portion of thecorresponding leg member 310 via a U-bracket 326. More specifically, aU-bracket 326 is fixed, e.g., welded or otherwise secured, to thecorresponding leg member 310 intermediate the upper and lower ends 312,314, respectively, thereof. Each U-bracket 326 includes a pair ofuprights 327 defining a slot 328 therebetween that is configured toreceive the lower end 324 of the corresponding leg stabilizer 320. Apivot pin 329 extends through the uprights 327 of each U-bracket 326 andan aperture (not explicitly shown) defined transversely through thelower end 324 of the corresponding leg stabilizer 320 to pivotablyengage the lower end 324 of the leg stabilizer 320 within the U-bracket326, thereby pivotably coupling the lower end 324 of each leg stabilized320 with the corresponding leg member 310. As a result of thisconfiguration, wherein the lower end 324 of each leg stabilizer 320 isreceived within the U-bracket 326 of the corresponding leg member 310,cantilevered forces that would result from a single supportconfiguration are reduced if not eliminated.

Cross bar 330 of leg assembly 300 is engaged with and extends betweenthe stabilizers 320 of leg assembly 300 so as to provide structuralsupport thereto. As detailed below, cross bar 330 is configured tosupport an end of the corresponding height adjustment actuator assembly400 thereon. Base bar 340 is engaged with and extends between lower ends314 of leg members 310 so as to connect the spaced-apart leg members 310of the leg assembly 300. As also detailed below, a caster assembly 600is disposed at each end of base bar 340 to enable transport of bed 10along a support surface, e.g., the floor.

Referring still to FIGS. 4-6, in conjunction with FIGS. 1-3, each heightadjustment actuator assembly 400 is configured to transition one of theleg assemblies 300 between a lowered position and a raised position tothereby raise or lower fixed frame 100 (or an end thereof, where onlyone height adjustment actuator assembly 400 and corresponding legassembly 300 are operated) relative to a support surface, e.g., thefloor. As illustrated and described herein, two height adjustmentactuator assemblies 400 are provided, one for each leg assembly 300,although other configurations are also contemplated. These heightadjustment actuator assemblies 400 may be operable in conjunction withone another and/or independently of one another, depending on aparticular purpose. As noted above, the height adjustment actuatorassemblies 400 corresponding to each of the leg assemblies 300 aresubstantially similar and, thus, reference below will only be made toone height adjustment actuator assembly 400.

Height adjustment actuator assembly 400 includes a push-pull actuator412 having an actuator base 414 and an actuator arm 416 telescopicallyextendable/retractable relative to actuator base 414. Actuator base 414is pivotably coupled to cross bar 330 of leg assembly 300 between theleg members 310 of leg assembly 300. More specifically, one or morebrackets 417 a are fixedly mounted on cross bar 330 and pivotablyengaged with actuator base 414 via a pivot pin 417 b so as to engageactuator base 414 with cross bar 330 while still enabling pivoting ofactuator base 414 relative to cross bar 330. The free end of actuatorarm 416 is pivotably engaged with a bracket 418 a that is fixedlymounted on one of the cross-beams 140 of fixed frame 100 via a pivot pin418 b to pivotably couple the free end of actuator arm 416 with fixedframe 100.

Extension of actuator arm 416 relative to actuator base 414 pushes crossbar 330 away from actuator 412. Such movement of cross bar 330, in turn,translates rollers 319 at the upper ends 312 of leg members 310 throughthrough tracks 135 of longitudinal side beams 132, 134 of fixed frame100, and pivots leg members 310 and stabilizers 320 relative to fixedframe 100 to raise fixed frame 100 relative to a support surface, e.g.,the floor. Retraction of actuator arm 416 relative to actuator base 414,on the other hand, pulls cross bar 330 towards actuator 412. Thismovement of cross bar 330, in turn, translates rollers 319 in theopposite direction through tracks 135 of longitudinal side beams 132,134 of fixed frame 100, and pivots leg members 310 and stabilizers 320in the respective opposite directions to lower fixed frame 100 relativeto a support surface, e.g., the floor.

Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, in conjunction with FIGS. 1-3, with respectto articulating articulatable frame 200, as noted above, a firstarticulation actuator assembly 500 is operably coupled to back section210 to enable articulation of back section 210 relative to fixed frame100, while a second articulation actuator assembly 500 is operablycoupled to thigh section 230 to enable articulation of thigh section 230relative to fixed frame 100. The features and use of articulationactuator assemblies 500 are substantially similar to one another and,thus, only the articulation actuator assembly 500 associated with thighsection 230 is described herein below.

Articulation actuation assembly 500 includes a push-pull actuator 512having an actuator base 514 and an actuator arm 516 telescopicallyextendable/retractable relative to actuator base 514. Actuator base 514is pivotably coupled to one of the cross-beams 140 of fixed frame 100.More specifically, one or more brackets 517 a are fixedly mounted on thecross-beam 140 pivotably engaged with actuator base 514 via a pivot pin517 b so as to enable pivoting of actuator base 514 relative tocross-beam 140. Actuator arm 516 is pivotably coupled to thigh section230 of articulatable frame 200 by way of first and second deck brackets518 a. Each deck bracket 518 a is fixedly engaged with several slats ofthigh section 230 of articulatable frame 200 to ensure sufficientengagement therewith and to provide a plurality of pushing/pullingpoints at which deck brackets 518 a push/pull thigh section 230 ofarticulatable frame 200 to articulate thigh section 230 relative tofixed frame 100. Each deck bracket 518 a further includes an extension518 b extending downwardly therefrom. A pivot pin 518 c extends betweenthe extension 518 b of each deck bracket 518 a and an aperture (notshown) defined transversely through the free end of actuator arm 516 ofarticulation actuation assembly 500 to pivotably couple the free end ofactuator arm 516 with deck brackets 518 a and, thus, with thigh section230 of articulatable frame 200. Extensions 518 b serve to offset pivotpin 518 c relative to second pivot 232, about which thigh section 230pivots relative to hip section 220 of articulatable frame 200 and fixedframe 100, such that extension/retraction of push-pull actuator 512pivots thigh section 230 about pivot 232 relative to hip section 220. Inparticular, extension of push-pull actuator 512 pivots thigh section 230upwardly, e.g., towards an articulated position relative to hip section220, while retraction of push-pull actuator 512 pivots thigh section 230downwardly, e.g., towards a flat position relative to hip section 220.

Referring to FIGS. 1-4, a plurality of caster assemblies 600 configuredfor use with bed 10 are provided. More specifically, a caster assembly600 is coupled to each leg member 310 of each leg assembly 300 atopposed ends of base bars 340 of leg assemblies 300 to provide fourcaster assemblies 600 positioned adjacent the four corners of thegenerally rectangular-shaped bed 10. As can be appreciated, thisconfiguration provides a stable, balanced arrangement when bed 10 isboth stationary and in transport. All of the caster assemblies 600 shafta common general configuration and features. However, the casterassemblies 600 associated with the leg assembly 300 disposed towards thehead end 110 of fixed frame 100 do include differences from thoseassociated with the leg assembly 300 disposed towards the foot end 120of fixed frame 100 of bed 10. Thus, common aspects of all casterassemblies 600 will first be described, followed by a description of thedifferences between the head end caster assemblies 600 and the foot endcaster assemblies 600.

Each caster assembly 600 generally includes a body 610, a cover 620, andfirst and second casters 630, 640. The body 610 of each caster assembly600 includes a central portion 612 and first and second wings 614, 616extending outwardly from opposed sides of central portion 612. Centralportion 612 is configured to pivotably engage body 610 with the base bar340 of the corresponding leg assembly 300. First and second wings 614,616 are configured to operably engage first and second casters 630, 640,respectively, so as to enable rotation of first and second casters 630,640 relative to body 610 to translate bed 10 along a support surface,e.g., the floor. The cover 620 of each caster assembly 600 is disposedabout the body 610 thereof to substantially cover the internalcomponents and connections thereof, thus preventing material frominadvertently interfering with the operation of the caster assembly 600.

Each of the caster assemblies 600 associated with the leg assembly 300disposed towards the head end 110 of fixed frame further includes a wallbumper 650 extending therefrom. Wall bumpers 650 extend beyond the headend 110 of fixed frame 100 so as to first contact a wall and therebyinhibit head end 110 of fixed frame from contacting the wall. As can beappreciated, such a configuration inhibits damage to the wall as well asto bed 10 and/or the patient using bed 10.

The first and second casters 630, 640 of the caster assemblies 600associated with the leg assembly 300 disposed towards the foot end 120of fixed frame are operably engaged with the respective wings 614, 616so as to enable swiveling of first and second casters 630, 640 relativeto body 610, in addition to rotation thereof. As a result of thisconfiguration, directional steering of bed 10 during translation thereofalong a support surface, e.g., the floor, is enabled. Each of thesecaster assemblies 600 further includes a directional lock 660 movablebetween a raised position and a lowered position. In the raisedposition, directional locks 660 permit swiveling of first and secondcasters 630, 640, while, in the lowered position, directional locks 670surround first and second casters 630, 640 so as to inhibit swivelingthereof.

The caster assemblies 600 associated with the leg assembly 300 disposedtowards the foot end 120 of fixed frame 100 further include a lockingmechanism 670 operably associated therewith. Locking mechanism 670includes a lock bar 672 extending between the caster assemblies 600 atthe foot end 120 of fixed frame 100, and an engagement foot 674 disposedbetween the first and second casters 630, 640 of each of the casterassemblies 600 at foot end 120. Lock bar 672 is operably coupled toengagement feet 674 such that, upon a first depression of lock bar 672,engagement feet 674 are extended downwardly from caster assemblies 600so as to contact the support surface, e.g., the floor, and raise casterassemblies 600 off of the support surface. Upon a second depression oflock bar 672, on the other hand, engagement feet 674 are raised suchthat casters 630, 640 are returned to the support surface to enabletranslation of bed 10 therealong. Another locking mechanism configuredfor use with bed 10, or any other suitable patient care bed, is detailedbelow with respect to FIGS. 9-15.

Turning now to FIGS. 9-15, and initially to FIG. 9, a caster lockingmechanism 700 provided in accordance with the present disclosure isshown. Caster locking mechanism 700 is coupled to the base bar 340 ofone of the leg assemblies 300 of bed 10 (FIG. 1), e.g., the leg assembly300 adjacent the foot end 120 of bed 10 (see FIG. 1), although it isalso contemplated that caster locking mechanism 700 be configured foruse with the leg assembly of any other suitable patient care bed.

Caster locking mechanism 700 includes a pair of lock and releaseassemblies 710, an engagement foot 760 associated with each lock andrelease assembly 710, a lock bar 770, and a release bar 780. Withadditional reference to FIGS. 10-14, each lock and release assembly 710is disposed at an end of the base bar 340 of one of the leg assemblies300 of bed 10 adjacent the caster assembly 600 thereof (see FIG. 1).Each lock and release assembly 710 includes a guide plate 712, a yoke720 of the lock bar 770, a rocker 730, a leg 740, and a release member750 of the release bar 780. The lock and release assemblies 710 aresimilar to one another and, thus, only one lock and release assembly 710will be detailed below.

Referring to FIGS. 9-11, guide plate 712 defines a semi-circular cut-out713 configured to at least partially receive the base bar 340 of thecorresponding leg assembly 300 (FIG. 1). Base bar 340 may be securedwithin semi-circular cut-out 713 via welding, mechanical fastening, orin any other suitable fashion. Guide plate 712 further defines anL-shaped slot 714, a guide slot 716, a first aperture 718, and a secondaperture 719.

With additional reference to FIG. 12, yoke 720 defines a generallyU-shaped configuration including a pair of spaced-apart flanges 721 a,721 b interconnected at fixed ends thereof by a base 722. An end of lockbar 770 is secured to base 722, e.g., via welding or other suitableengagement, and extends transversely outwardly therefrom. Each flange721 a, 721 b defines a first aperture 723 a, 723 b towards the free endthereof. First apertures 723 a, 723 b are aligned with one another andfirst aperture 718 of guide plate 712 so as to enable receipt of a pivotpin 724 therethrough to pivotably couple yoke 720 and, thus, lock bar770, with guide plate 712. Each flange 721 a, 721 b of yoke 720 furtherdefines a second aperture 725 a, 725 b towards the free end thereof.Second apertures 725 a, 725 b are aligned with one another and guideslot 716 of guide plate 712 so as to enable receipt of a guide pin 726therethrough. As a result of this configuration, the range of motion ofyoke 720 as it pivots about pivot pin 724 relative to guide plate 712 islimited by the range of motion of guide pin 726 through guide slot 716.More specifically, when guide pin 726 is disposed at an upper end ofguide slot 716, yoke 720 and, thus, lock bar 770 are disposed in anunlocked position, and when guide pin 726 is disposed at a lower end ofguide slot 716, yoke 720 and, thus, lock bar 770 are disposed in alocked position. A torsion spring 728 is positioned about pivot pin 724so as to bias yoke 720 and lock bar 770 towards the unlocked position,although other biasing configurations and/or biasing members are alsocontemplated.

Referring also to FIG. 13, rocker 730 includes a body 732 defining afirst end 734 a and a second end 734 b. An aperture 736 is defined atfirst end 734 a of rocker 730. Aperture 736 is configured to receiveguide pin 726 which to pivotably couple first end 734 a of rocker 730with yoke 720 and slidably and pivotably couple rocker 730 with guideplate 712. As a result of this configuration, pivoting of lock bar 770and, thus, yoke 720 towards the locked position relative to guide plate712 drives rocker 730 downwardly. Second end 734 b of rocker 730includes a protrusion 738 extending outwardly therefrom. Rocker 730 ispositioned adjacent guide plate 712 such that protrusion 738 is operablydisposed within L-shaped slot 714 of guide plate 712. Upon movement ofyoke 720 towards the locked position to drive rocker 730 downwardly,protrusion 738 is translated downwardly along the vertical portion ofL-shaped slot 714. Upon reaching the locked position of yoke 720,protrusion 738 is positioned at the intersection of the vertical andhorizontal portions of L-shaped slot 714. A biasing member 739 ispositioned to bias rocker 730 towards the closed end of the horizontalportion of L-shaped slot 714 such that, upon protrusion 738 reaching theintersection of the vertical and horizontal portions of L-shaped slot714, protrusion 738 is biased into the horizontal portion of L-shapedslot 714, thereby retaining rocker 730 in a lowered position and lockbar 770 and yoke 720 in the locked position.

With additional reference to FIG. 14, leg 740 of lock and releaseassembly 710 is generally vertically oriented and defines an aperture742 at the upper end thereof that is configured to pivotably receiveguide pin 726, which, as mentioned above, also pivotably couples rocker730 with yoke 720 and guide plate 712. As such, upon movement of lockbar 770 and, thus, yoke 720 towards the locked position, both rocker 730and leg 740 are driven downwardly. Leg 740 is configured to fixedlyengage engagement foot 760 of locking mechanism 700 such that downwarddriving of leg 740 effects corresponding downward driving of engagementfoot 760. More specifically, due to the above-detailed interconnections,upon pivoting of lock bar 770 towards the locked position, yoke 720 islikewise pivoted to thereby drive rocker 730 and leg 740 downwardly,which moves engagement foot 760 from a retracted position, whereinengagement foot 760 is spaced-apart from the supporting surface, e.g.,floor, upon which the corresponding caster assembly 600 (FIG. 1) sits,to an extended position, wherein engagement foot 760 is urged intocontact with the supporting surface, e.g., floor, to raise thecorresponding caster assembly 600 (FIG. 1) off the floor and lock bed 10(FIG. 1) in position. Biasing of protrusion 738 of rocker 730 into thehorizontal portion of L-shaped slot 714, as detailed above, thus locksengagement foot 760 in the extended position upon pivoting of lock bar770 to the locked position.

Referring also to FIG. 15, a release member 750 extends from either endof release bar 780 into operable engagement with the corresponding lockand release assembly 710. More specifically, release member 750 definesan L-shaped configuration having a protrusion 752 extending outwardly ina transverse direction from an elbow 754 of release member 750, and anaperture 756 disposed at a free end of release member 750. Releasemember 750 is positioned relative to guide plate 712 such thatprotrusion 752 extends into L-shaped slot 714 of guide plate 712 andsuch that aperture 756 of release member 750 and second aperture 719 ofguide plate 712 are aligned with one another. A pivot pin 758 extendsthrough aperture 756 and second aperture 719 to pivotably couple releasemember 750 and, thus, release bar 780 relative to guide plate 712. Abiasing member (not explicitly shown) biases release bar 780 towards aninitial position, wherein protrusion 752 is disposed at the closed endof the horizontal portion of L-shaped slot 714 of guide plate 712. Upondownward urging of release bar 780 towards a release position, releasemember 750 is rotated relative to guide plate such that protrusion 752is translated through the horizontal portion of L-shaped slot 714. Ifengagement foot 760 is disposed in the extended position when releasebar 780 is moved to the release position, protrusion 752 is translatedthrough the horizontal portion of L-shaped slot 714 into contact withprotrusion 738 of rocker 730 ultimately such that protrusion 738 isreturned to the vertical portion of L-shaped slot 714 and, thereafter,biased upwardly through the vertical portion of L-shaped slot 714 toreturn engagement foot 760 to the retracted position and lock bar 770 tothe unlocked position. Upon release of release bar 780, the biasingmember (not explicitly shown) biases release bar 780 back towards theinitial position.

The above description, disclosure, and figures should not be construedas limiting, but merely as exemplary of particular embodiments. It is tobe understood, therefore, that the disclosure is not limited to theprecise embodiments described, and that various other changes andmodifications may be effected by one skilled in the art withoutdeparting from the scope or spirit of the present disclosure.Additionally, persons skilled in the art will appreciate that thefeatures illustrated or described in connection with one embodiment maybe combined with those of another, and that such modifications andvariations are also intended to be included within the scope of thepresent disclosure. Therefore, the above description should not beconstrued as limiting, but merely as exemplifications of particularembodiments.

What is claimed is:
 1. A patient care bed, comprising: a fixed framedefining a head end and a foot end; first and second leg assembliescoupled to the head end and foot end, respectively, of the fixed frame,each leg assembly including a pair of spaced-apart caster assembliesconfigured to support the leg assembly on a support surface; anengagement foot associated with each of the caster assemblies of thefirst leg assembly or the second leg assembly, each engagement footmovable between a retracted position and an extended position forlifting the corresponding caster assembly off of the support surface; alock and release assembly associated with each engagement foot; a lockbar operably coupled to and extending between the lock and releaseassemblies, the lock bar movable in a first direction from an unlockedposition to a locked position to move the engagement feet from theretracted position to the extended position; and a release bar operablycoupled to and extending between the lock and release assemblies, therelease bar movable in the first direction from an initial position to arelease position to move the engagement feet from the extended positionback to the retracted position.
 2. The patient care bed according toclaim 1, wherein each lock and release assembly includes: a guide platedefining an lock and release slot; a rocker including a protrusionslidably disposed within the lock and release slot, the rocker operablycoupled to the lock bar such that moving the lock bar from the unlockedposition to the locked position slides the protrusion of the rockerthrough the lock and release slot from a first position to a secondposition to lock the lock bar in the locked position and the engagementfeet in the extended position; and a release member including aprotrusion slidably disposed within the lock and release slot, therelease member operably coupled to the release bar such that movement ofthe release bar from the initial position to the release position slidesthe protrusion of the release member through the lock and release slotand into contact with the protrusion of the rocker to urge theprotrusion of the rocker from the second position back to the firstposition, thereby returning the lock bar to the unlocked position andthe engagement feet to the retracted position.
 3. The patient care bedaccording to claim 2, wherein the lock and release slot of each lock andrelease assembly defines a L-shaped configuration having a verticalportion and a horizontal portion, and wherein, moving the lock bar fromthe unlocked position to the locked position slides the protrusion ofthe rocker of each lock and release assembly from a closed end of thevertical portion of the corresponding lock and release slot, through thevertical portion of the corresponding lock and release slot, and intothe horizontal portion of the corresponding lock and release slot tolock the lock bar in the locked position and the engagement feet in theextended position.
 4. The patient care bed according to claim 3, whereinmovement of the release bar from the initial position to the releaseposition slides the protrusion of the release member of each lock andrelease assembly from a closed end of the horizontal portion of thecorresponding lock and release slot through the horizontal portion ofthe corresponding lock and release slot and into contact with theprotrusion of the corresponding rocker to urge the protrusion of thecorresponding rocker from the horizontal portion of the correspondinglock and release slot to the vertical portion of the corresponding lockand release slot, thereby returning the lock bar to the unlockedposition and the engagement feet to the retracted position.
 5. Thepatient care bed according to claim 4, wherein, the lock bar is biasedtowards the unlocked position such that the protrusion of the rocker ofeach lock and release assembly is biased towards the closed end of thevertical portion of the corresponding lock and release slot oncedisposed within the vertical portion of the corresponding lock andrelease slot, thereby returning the lock bar to the unlocked positionand the engagement feet to the retracted position once the protrusion ofthe corresponding rocker is disposed in the vertical portion of thecorresponding lock and release slot.
 6. The patient care bed accordingto claim 2, wherein the each lock and release assembly further includesa yoke disposed at an end of the lock bar and pivotably coupled to thecorresponding guide plate at a first location along the yoke via a firstpin.
 7. The patient care bed according to claim 6, wherein the each lockand release assembly further includes a second pin pivotably coupled tothe yoke at a second location along the yoke, the second pin slidablydisposed within a guide slot defined within the corresponding guideplate.
 8. The patient care bed according to claim 7, wherein the rockerof each lock and release assembly is pivotably coupled to thecorresponding yoke at the second location along the yoke via the secondpin.
 9. The patient care bed according to claim 7, wherein each lock andrelease assembly further includes a leg defining a first end and asecond end, the first end of the leg pivotably coupled to thecorresponding yoke at the second location along the yoke via the secondpin, the second end of the leg coupled to the corresponding engagementfoot.
 10. A patient care bed, comprising: a fixed frame defining a headend and a foot end; first and second leg assemblies coupled to the headend and foot end, respectively, of the fixed frame, each leg assemblyincluding a pair of spaced-apart caster assemblies configured to supportthe leg assembly on a support surface; an engagement foot associatedwith each of the caster assemblies of the first leg assembly or thesecond leg assembly, each engagement foot movable between a retractedposition and an extended position for lifting the corresponding casterassembly off of the support surface; a lock bar operably coupled to andextending between the engagement feet, the lock bar movable in a firstdirection from an unlocked position to a locked position to move theengagement feet from the retracted position to the extended position;and a release bar operably coupled to and extending between theengagement feet, the release bar movable in the first direction from aninitial position to a release position to move the engagement feet fromthe extended position back to the retracted position.